Question from Iona - Tudor ideas of beauty

What was considered beautiful in men and women during the reign of Henry VIII? What kind of make-up did women wear and did men wear any? What beauty treatments did they use? Did they bother with hair removal?

There seem to have been a lot of pale redheads at the Tudor courts. Was it just more common then or was it just the way they were painted? Anne Boleyn looks auburn-haired and pale in one portrait but that doesn't fit descriptions.

Question from Ee - Source of Mary Queen of Scots quote

I found a quote that was listed as being from Mary Queen of Scots, "No more tears now, I will think of revenge"

I had hoped to use the quote in a short story I am writing, but when I went to verify the quote (and hopefully find when and why it was said) I was not able to find any reference to it at all.

If anyone has any info for me I'd really like to track this quote down.

Question from Tabitha - Anne Boleyn party dress

I have a question about anne boleyn maybe you can help.I am haven a party and I am dressing up as Anne.What I would like to know is what do you think Anne boleyn would have dressed in for partys lets say christmas or king henrys brithday?
I know she had the b necklace and she did wear pearls and the frech hood but is there any thing else?

Question from Stacey - Illegitimate children of Queens

Other than the rumors about Elizabeth, has there ever been a child born of a queen that people were "sure" was the product of an affair?

Question from Sarah - Numbers and correspondence of ambassadors

How many ambassadors were at court? I've read about the French, Venetians and Spanish. Were there more and if so does their correspondence still exist and is it translated into modern English?

Question from Sarah - Ralfe Lyons

Does anyone know anything about Ralfe Lyons, a boy who was 'given' to Henry VIII in 1546? There is a tiny amount of information about him in Robert Hutchinson's 'The Last Days of Henry VIII' and he says it's a mystery.

Question from Meg - Information on importance of Aragon, Boleyn and Parr households

I am a university student doing my dissertation on different aspects of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Parr. I have decided to do one section of this on the importance of their households, but am having problems finding comprehensive information on this. Does anyone know where to find this information as it would be a great help to me?
Thanks.

Question from Elizabeth M - Biography of Margaret Douglas

Has there ever been a biography of Lady Margaret Douglas? She is such a fascinating character. Her life was one of foiled love affairs, intrigue, and ambition. Are there any rumors of a forthcoming biography of her. There really should be, as she is one of the more colorful characters of the Tudor period.

Question from Mark - Opinions on David Starkey

What do people think of David Starkey? Is his work accurate or a bit sensationalist?

He recently criticised female historians for focusing more on the personalities of Henry VIII and his wives than in Henry VIII's historical significance. Do you think this is fair?

[For some related threads, just search on "Starkey" on the site since his name comes up a lot here! - Lara]

Question from Anon - Eye glasses

Did Henry VIII wear glasses?

Question from Ella - Jousting

What was jousting?

Question from Carlyn - Elizabeth's make-up and mirrors in old age

Hi everyone,

I am researching Elizabeth I’s wardrobe, and cosmetics for a future children’s book project and I came across something that has got me stumped. In one of Ben Johnson’s antidotes of Queen Elizabeth he wrote, “Queen Elizabeth never saw herself, after she became old, in a true glass : They painted her, and sometimes would vermilion her nose.” (The “they” he is referring to are her ladies-in-waiting)

Obviously, Johnson was no fan of Elizabeth. Could he be the source for the rumor that Elizabeth I destroyed all her mirrors in her old age? Is that really true? A clueless Elizabeth with a red nose would sure make a funny illustration, but I find it hard to believe that her ladies-in -waiting would dare to mock their queen. Plus, I really can't trust Johnson as a source. Does anyone know of any other sources mentioning Elizabeth or any other Elizabethan lady putting red on her nose?

Or was putting vermillion on your nose considered attractive?

Question from Anon - Opinions on "Early Loves of Anne Boleyn"

What do people think of the book, 'The Early Loves of Anne Boleyn'. It sounds like a great topic but has bad Amazon reviews. Has anyone read it?

Question from Ella - Henry VIII talking during Mass

Is it true that Henry VIII would talk during mass, even having meetings? If so, was this normal or considered rude?

Question from Orla - Possible portrait of Henry Brandon Earl of Lincoln

I was recently looking up info on Mary Tudor Brandon's son Henry Brandon Earl of Lincoln, the second one who was meant to marry Katherine Willoughby but his father did. Anyway I came across a website that said her son has a portrait. It's the one that has been identified as Edward VI by Hans Holbein the one with the boy holding the monkey. It stated that recent scholars have now identified it as young Henry Brandon. I did always think it was odd that a boy that close to the throne and a nephew of Henry VIII by his favourite sister, didn't have a portrait. But I was wondering if anyone came across this also and if they knew who these scholars are or if it's written in a book. The website had no source.

Question from Tracey - Author Elizabeth Norton

The author, Elizabeth Norton. She seems to crank-out Tudor-related biographies about every three months. It's just been noticed that two more biographies by her are slated for publication- one dealing with Margaret Beaufort.

What sort of writer is she? Can her 'facts' be believed? Is she 'scholarly', or of the Alison Weir mode? Is there depth to her work, or just general information? I have never read her works, none are available in my local library, or for inter-library loan.

I will admit to being interested in the Margaret Beaufort publication, but would like to have some idea of what to expect.

Question from Nella - Tudor sites to visit in Suffolk

Hello,
this seems to be a very good site to ask my question.
I will go to England in the summer (I'm from Italy)and want to know which places you would recommend me the most. I have never been to England before but I am deeply interested in the Tudors (especially Henry VIII and his sisters).
I'll spend most of my time arouns Ipswich/Suffolk. Are there any good Tudor places nearby?
Thank you very much!

Question from Kelly - Similarities among the wives of Henry VIII

I am a big fan of the Tudor Era in England, and especially of King Henry VIII and his six wives. Were there certain wives thats behavior was more similar to others? Were any of them alike???

Question from Sarah - Tudor fertility remedies

Does anyone know what treatments women may have had for fertility problems during the reign of Henry VIII? And do we know of any of the women at the court using them?

Question from Drew - Doctor Harman

I have been told that there is a portrait of Henry VIII with his physicians in attendance.
In this portrait the physicians/doctors have names of which one, I'm led to believe, is "Harman".
Could you shed some light on this portrait and are there any historical details of "Doctor Harman"
Sharing a common surname both myself and family have an interest in this subject.

Question from Anonymous - Birthdate of Laetitia Knollys

First of all, I'd just like to say a massive thank you to Lara for creating this site - it's absolutely brilliant! I've been using it for a while now and I'd just like to say how amazing I think it is. It's an absolute goldmine of information. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

My query is just regarding the birthdate of Laetitia Knollys. I'm a bit confused because I always assumed that it was impossible to pinpoint an exact birthdate for her, but then I came across a site saying that she was born on 8 November 1543. It was on Wikipedia (which I know is unreliable) but also several other sites as well. I've always thought Laetitia was born before then anyway - maybe c.1540-41. I'd just like to know everyone else's opinions about when she was more likely to have been born. And does anyone know of any substantial evidence to support the birthdate given by Wikipedia?

Question from Anne - Henry VIII's and Katherine Parr's religious beliefs

Just found your site. Very interesting!

I have been watching The Tudors (yes, I know...fiction...but loving it all the same) and I'm really confused.

Henry broke from the Rome and formed the English church. Surely Katerine Parr and he were on the same page religiously? She was a protestant was she? Wouldn't Henry also have become a prodestant when he broke from the catholic church?

Why was KP charged with heresy?

Many thanks,

Anne

Question from Carol Anne - Quote from Henry VIII on the pardon of a murderer

I am doing research to determine if the following account is true or fictional. It has been said that at one point during his reign, King Henry VIII pardoned a murderer. The man was set free, but committed another murder.
Someone asked King Henry to pardon him again. He is purported to have said, "No. I will not pardon him again. He killed the first man. But by pardoning him, I killed the second."
Do you have any information on whether or not this is a true story?
Thank you so much. this is definitely not a school assignment! I am 63 years of age.

Question from Patricia - Information on Thomas Stuckely and Henry VIII's will

i would like as much information as i can. on
thomas stuckely. son of sir hugh stuckley. of
affeton. what i want is the proof of sir
thomas steuckelys background. i need the
information on his illegimacey.

has anyone got any proof that sir thomas was
the son of henry viii and mary berkeley.

did henry the viii leave a will. i did
try for a medieval post mortem. but i don't
think there is one on sir thomas stucleky.

can anyone help me and give me suggestions
on how to find henry viii will. and how
to find out about sir thomas stucley
iiegtmatecy. what do i look for and where do i
look.


thank you for your help patricia

Question from Colleen - Pre-Elizabethan banking system

I'm looking for specifics on the banking system (if there was one) in pre-Elizabethan England. Namely, did rich people and nobility keep their money in banks or stored within vaults (or other storage methods) inside their homes? Did they keep it in gold form, or did they invest it in valuable items such as jewelry? I haven't been able to find much information on this so any help is appreciated!!